What Is It?
2005 Volkswagen Jetta
What's Special About It?
2005 is a big anniversary year for Volkswagen in the U.S. The German company is marking its 50th year selling cars here, and 25 years of Jettas. In debuting the all-new, fifth-generation Jetta sedan — on sale in March — VW points the way to its next 25.
Longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, the 2005 Jetta fits a generation of younger Volkswagen buyers who are growing up and getting ready to take on the adult side of their lives. The Jetta is the first look at "the new face of Volkswagen." This face is highlighted by a slat-happy front end that tapers into a chrome insert. In profile, you'd swear its styling studio was based in Tokyo — specifically, Toyota City.
A new 2.5-liter inline five betters the previous Jetta's output (150 hp versus 115) and makes a U.S.-driver-friendly 170 lb-ft of torque at 3,750 rpm. Two other engines — 2.0-liter turbo and 1.9-liter turbodiesel — will follow after launch. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual, with an adaptive six-speed Tiptronic automatic available.
Among the Jetta-first enhancing the new car is a multilink rear suspension for a more sophisticated, fully independent setup and an interior that qualifies as generous. How generous? Two 6-foot-2 passengers could sit comfortably, one behind the other.
Pricing for the new Jetta starts at under $18,000 for the car equipped with the manual gearbox, and under $19,000 if you want the automatic.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Developing a model that grows with your buyers — as opposed to moving them up into a newer model — is an interesting concept. And while the new Jetta isn't really anything we haven't seen before, VW can rest assured that current Jetta fans will remain Jetta fans. As for conquesting, the price will tell the story. — Richard Homan
2005 Volkswagen Jetta
What's Special About It?
2005 is a big anniversary year for Volkswagen in the U.S. The German company is marking its 50th year selling cars here, and 25 years of Jettas. In debuting the all-new, fifth-generation Jetta sedan — on sale in March — VW points the way to its next 25.
Longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, the 2005 Jetta fits a generation of younger Volkswagen buyers who are growing up and getting ready to take on the adult side of their lives. The Jetta is the first look at "the new face of Volkswagen." This face is highlighted by a slat-happy front end that tapers into a chrome insert. In profile, you'd swear its styling studio was based in Tokyo — specifically, Toyota City.
A new 2.5-liter inline five betters the previous Jetta's output (150 hp versus 115) and makes a U.S.-driver-friendly 170 lb-ft of torque at 3,750 rpm. Two other engines — 2.0-liter turbo and 1.9-liter turbodiesel — will follow after launch. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual, with an adaptive six-speed Tiptronic automatic available.
Among the Jetta-first enhancing the new car is a multilink rear suspension for a more sophisticated, fully independent setup and an interior that qualifies as generous. How generous? Two 6-foot-2 passengers could sit comfortably, one behind the other.
Pricing for the new Jetta starts at under $18,000 for the car equipped with the manual gearbox, and under $19,000 if you want the automatic.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Developing a model that grows with your buyers — as opposed to moving them up into a newer model — is an interesting concept. And while the new Jetta isn't really anything we haven't seen before, VW can rest assured that current Jetta fans will remain Jetta fans. As for conquesting, the price will tell the story. — Richard Homan
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